Hi there, my future husband and I are planning our honeymoon in Australia for October/November, 2006. We live in California, and we've never even been close to Australia, so any feedback is appreciated!

We plan on Arriving in Brisbane Oct. 25 (leave US Oct. 23) and departing Sydney in mid November. Here is our approx. plan:

- 1 day/night Brisbane upon arriving from U.S.
Fly to Mackay, helocopter transfer to Brampton Island.
- 7 nights Brampton Island to rest, recuperate, swim, read in the sun, snorkle, etc. Fiance is a diver, so we hope to find a day excursion to the reef for him.
Fly to Uluru
- 2 nights Uluru, Sounds of silence, camels, sunrise
Fly to Launceston
- 1 night Launceston
- 3 nights Cradle Mountain
- 2 nights Hobart
Fly to Sydney
- 5 nights Sydney (plus 1 in Blue Mountains)

That's it! Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks in advance,
Laura

Sounds perfect to me, in terms of timing.
Can't comment on many of your planned destinations though.
But I think your schedule is pretty good.
If I was to do anything different, I would have the rest and recouperation bit at the back end instead of first. But that's just a personal thing.


Congratulations and enjoy

Muck

Hi Laura,

I agree with Muck, your schedule is great. Not too rushed and gives you time to experience a wide range of what makes Australia so special.

Here's a weather link which might be a useful guide to the climate (thanks to NeilOZ) http://www.weatherbase.com/

Just a couple of tips: Make sure you have a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. I find Bushmans is good (there was a recent thread on this topic which would be worth looking up.)

At Uluru, it will probably be quite cool/cold at night & early mornings, heating up quite quickly, so take a jacket/windcheater. You'll almost certainly need it in Cradle Mountain, too. The Visitors/Cultural centre at Uluru is excellent and worth at least an hour. If you can, see it before Uluru & the Olgas. Be sure to take water with you at all times as it's extremely dehydrating, even when not overly hot.

All the best - ask any specifics you need to know, there are some very helpful people on the Forum.

Thanks for the quick feedback. Relaxation portion is at the beginning of the trip because we will be exhausted after planning and throwing a large wedding and host scores of friends and relatives. Plus the long flight from the U.S. I want to be able to rest for a week when we get there before taking on some of the more adventurous destinations.

Does anyone know if you can get diving excursions from Brampton?

Itinerary looks mostly great! Brampton is an absolutely beautiful island...spent 5 nights there in July 2002 and loved it. Be sure to do the walk around the island and up to the lookout on Brampton Peak. Snorkeling was so-so, though there is reportedly some good snorkeling close to shore in some less accessible places. The resort boat will take you there if the wind/weather is right (it was too windy for us the day we went out). We inquired about a trip to the outer reef from Brampton but did not end up doing one. We would have to have flown to Hamilton Island from Brampton and taken a boat from there. (There used to be a catamaran from Mackay to the outer reef via Brampton, but that was not operating in 2002, and I assume that is still the case).

Only suggested itinerary change would be to cut one night off of Brampton and add on one to the Red Center...perhaps spend a day at Uluru and one at the Olgas, especially if you like to walk/hike.

lauraallais,
You won't get any rest ..your on honeymoon...!!!

lol

;-)

Muck

I just got our accommodation list from our travel agent. Please let me know if you have any feedback. Thanks!

Brampton Island - Island view rooom
Ayers Rock Resort - Outback Pioneer hotel, standard room
Launceston - Hatheley House, deluxe suite
Cradle Mountain Lodge - Spa cabin
Hobart - Henry Jones Art Hotel, deluxe spa suite
Sydney - Observatory Hotel
Blue Mountains - Lilianfels

Thanks again!
Laura

I don't know Brampton or Hatherley House but the others are all lovely. Have a super time!

I agree, everything looks great and I am sure you will enjoy every minute of your trip.

Are there any activities in these areas that anyone can recommend?